Public transportation a necessity for our community

Whenever the possibility of change for the betterment of a society seems imminent, there is always the element of negativity. An example was expressed recently in Open Forum. In the Triad and the Triangle, High Point, Durham, Hillsborough, Chapel Hill, and Cary all have successful transit systems. Burlington (population 51,577) does not provide this service for its citizenry. In the Times-News’ Feb. 6 article, “Transitioning to transit”, the proposal for a multi-city bus system was addressed by Mike Nunn, transportation planning manager for Burlington. This proposal includes the Alamance County Transportation Authority (ACTA) to function in its usual capacity, Elon University’s Bio Bus, the Piedmont Authority for Regional Transportation (PART), and Triangle Transit.

The greatest concern to establish a public transit system in Burlington and, potentially, other municipalities in Alamance County is the need factor. It’s easy to criticize such a proposal by those who have no need! To them, transportation is not a problem. On Feb. 4, I submitted the Petition for Public Transportation, the voice of the people, totaling 1,202 signatures, to the Burlington City Council. This petition is inclusive and indicative of supporters/riders of the buses. Of course, many didn’t get to sign but are also literally walking everywhere they go, even in inclement weather. A transit system will give them access to job opportunities, the ability to get to work once employed, to school, to the doctor, to stores, and, as some have expressed, to be able to save on gas and the wear and tear on their vehicles. Psalms 41:1-2 declares, “Blessed is he that considers the poor, the Lord will deliver him in the time of trouble. … and he shall be blessed upon the earth.”

Is it affordable? As Nunn explained, the $5 general vehicle tax and $5 transit vehicle tax are currently available as revenue sources to all cities in North Carolina to be utilized for public transportation and operations.

The time is now to provide a transit system for all our citizens of Burlington and, potentially, other municipalities in Alamance County that choose to participate in a multi-city transit system.